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Corsica holds the strange honour of being both celebrated and somewhat underappreciated.
In France, the birthplace of Napoleon has been bestowed the nickname "L'ile de Beauté", no doubt inspired by images of the heavenly white sands and striking cobalt blue waters that make up its vast coastline, or perhaps the jaw-dropping mountain terrain - peppered with idyllic streams and lush valleys rich in vegetation - that inhabits its legendary hinterland. Within France and to a lesser extent Spain, this treasure trove of natural wonders enjoys a vaunted status.
By contrast, among the anglophone world, the (admittedly) stunning beaches of neighbouring Sardinia, and the blissful vibes of the Balearics and the mythical islands of Greece draw a larger and more vociferous crowd than Corsica. As result of slipping under the radar somewhat, the unspoiled beauty of Corsica has managed to remain just that.
For better or worse, however, we at Villanovo believe it's time we celebrated this rugged isle and so we continue our series of articles on Corsica with a handy FAQ.
But first, let us provide a brief description of the Isle of Beauty...
Formed by a collapsing volcano, engulfed by the sea, Corsica is perhaps the most mountainous of all the Mediterranean islands, with its interior landscape almost completely dominated by dramatic vistas of monumental mountains, sprawling forests of holm oak and sweeping valleys, cut through by rivers, streams and - more recently - a network of hiking trails, perfect for exploring this elemental land.
Corsica's mountainous terrain is actually an extension of the same column of rock formed many millions of years ago that makes up the Alps on the European mainland.
Much of the mountainous character of the terrain subsides the closer you get to the coastline, although Bonifacio in the southern part of the island retains a particularly rocky character, with towering cliffs providing vast drops into the piercing blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea below,
Bringing things a little closer to the present day, the history of Corsica, much like that of Sardinia, is rich and varied, with conquest and reconquest a common theme. Once inhabited by the Phoenicians before being absorbed into the Roman Empire, when it was often used as a place of exile, Corsica went on to change hands many times, being ruled at different times by the Vandals, the Lombards, the Pisans and the Genoese, even enjoying a brief period of independence as a British-supported sovereign state, before France took control of the island from the Italians during the 18h century.
Let us not forget that the town of Ajaccio on the west of the island was the birthplace of a certain Napoleon Bonaparte, whose impact on history, of France and Europe needs no introduction.
Today, a trip around the island reveals citadels, churches, ramparts and other elements of an exquisitely rich architectural patrimony.
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As we said, the status of Corsica as a holiday destination has perhaps not been celebrated as much as it might have been. Therefore, there is little shame in not knowing much about it. However, for those eager to find out more and impress their friends at dinner parties with a suspiciously in-depth knowledge of the Ile de Beauté, our selection of Frequently Asked Questions will no doubt come in handy.
So, without further ado...
Corsica, often referred to as the Isle of Beauty, is located in the north of the Tyrrhenian Sea, part of the northern Mediterranean Sea, between France to the north, Italy to the east and north-eastern Spain to the west.
Just south of Corsica, on the other side of the Strait of Bonifacio, lie the stunning beaches of Sardinia.
As one of the hottest regions in France, Corsica enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate, with the summer months becoming really very warm, with average high temperatures hovering around 28 degrees in the peak summer months. This is an average, remember, so it isn't uncommon to see temperatures climb into the mid-thirties. This is worth noting if you're looking to hike its famous trails, especially since the rugged terrain often leaves little shelter from the midday sun.
By contrast, in the winter the high altitudes can see snow capping the peaks and other areas. As a result, For hikers the shoulder season of May-June and September-October provide the best conditions.
There's a slightly gruesome backstory here...
The flag and coat of arms of Corsica shows the head of what appears to be a Moor with a bandana above the eyes. Legend has it that the Moor's Head image was adopted to mark an episode in which, Diana, a young Corsican woman was captured by Moorish pirates with the intention of sending her to Granada as a slave. However, her valiant fiancé, Pablo managed to free her, before a battle between the Corsicans and the Barbery pirates saw the leader of the Moors beheaded.
Previous to Pasquale Pioli's 18th century reign as head of an independent Corsican Republic, it depicted the Moor's bandana as a blindfold. However, Pioli decreed that, following independence, it should be lifted to show the Corsican people with their eyes now open and uncovered, a symbol of their liberation. To this day, Corsican nationalists use the flag as a protest against French rule.
The capital of Corsica is Ajaccio, the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. For a city of such importance, it may be surprising to learn that its population sits at around 70,000 people. The next largest on Corsica is Bastia on the north-east coast with 45,000. After that no other town gets close in size. During the island's brief spell as an independent republic the inland town of Corte became the capital.
Although once Italian, with many Italian customs and recipes retained to this day, Corsica has formed a part of France ever since the 18th century, except for a brief spell during the war, when Italian and German soldiers seized it. It has been described as "a French region with an Italian soul".
As part of France, the official language of Corsica is French, and is widely spoken throughout the island. However, there is also the native 'Corsu', a romance language closely related to the Tuscan dialects of classic Italian which can more often be heard in rural areas. Whether Corsu is an Italian dialect or a distinct language remains a topic of hot debate. For those wondering whether they can get by in English: in many of the more touristy places you will find people who can speak English. However, don't expect it to be the rule.
According to recent figures published in January 2023, Corsica's population sits at around 350,000. Bastia and Ajaccio make up the largest concentrations of people with almost no other towns enjoying a population of more than 10000 people.
Corsica has traditionally been divided into two departments, the 'northern' Haut-Corse and the 'southern' Corse-du-Sud, In reality, the division is more diagonal, running along from south east to north west, in line with the mountain range that cuts across the island.
In the Haute-Corse you can find the fortified towns of Calvi and Bastia, as well as the former capital Corte, whose dramatic position perched atop a mountain is worth the hike alone.
Other notable places for those looking to visit include, the reddish hued region of L'île-Rousse, the Cap Corse (the 'island within an island' that juts out from the north-easternmost point. of the island), the beautiful Desert des Agriates, the charming village of Saint-Florent and countless stunning beaches, including the crystalline waters and wild strip of powdery white sand that makes up the Plage de Saleccia.
Corse-du-Sud includes the popular towns of Porto Vecchio and Bonifacio, as well as the capital Ajaccio, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Scandola Nature Reserve and the jaw-droppingly beautiful surroundings of the Gulf de Porto - although, these are far closer to northern coastal town of Calvi and the Balagne region than the other towns previously mentioned.
Unsurprisingly, given its geography and history, the traditional cuisine of Corsica is a blend of Italian and French influences, with a slight lean towards Italian food. Despite its island status, Corsica's signature dishes are made up of hearty, meaty fare, with charcuterie, stews and cheese (especially the famous brocciu) key features, alongside biscuits and cakes, whether you're eating in the chic establishments of Calvi or a rustic village restaurant. The island's figs, olive oil, chestnut flour and honey are also highly prized.
Beyond brocciu, the dishes for which Corsican cuisine is best known include Civet de Sanglier (wild boar stew), Lonzu cured pork sausage, and veal with olives.
Corsica has four airports in total, with one situated close to Calvi, Bastia, Ajaccio and Porto-Vecchio. For those who can't get enough of the Mediterranean Sea, there are also ferry companies running services from Sardinia, as well as Nice, Toulon in the South of France and Piombino and Livorno in Italy. These can arrive to a number of towns, including Porto Vecchio, Bonifacio, Calvi, Propriano, Bastia and the main port of Ajaccio, the latter of which offers a great view of one of the most beautiful bays in the world.
Corsica is famous for being Napoleon Bonaparte's birthplace (and place of exile), as well as home to the famously tough (but rewarding) GR20 hiking route, pungent brocciu cheese and its awe-inspiring natural beauty.
At last count, Corsica is 8722km² in size. It is around a third the size of neighbouring Sardinia, with which it is often compared. For those looking to hike the famous GR20 route which traverses the island from north to south, you would want to set aside around 2 weeks, to allow yourself a little time to stop off and enjoy the scattering of small villages along the way.
Funny you should ask...
>>> Explore Villanovo's selection of luxury villas in Corsica
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